Nearly 20 athletes, sports delegation officials, and media representatives from countries participating in the 9th Asian Winter Games engaged in a cultural exchange event held at a China Media Group studio in Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, on Monday.
Delegates from Mongolia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam gathered at the Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo Park to immerse themselves in Chinese cultural heritage.
The event commenced with a vibrant performance by a local folk Yangge dancing troupe. The energetic moves and rhythmic drum beats quickly lifted the attendees' spirits, with many foreign guests joining the dancers in the lively atmosphere.
Participants also had the chance to engage in various Chinese intangible cultural heritage crafts. They learned and created ice engravings, sugar paintings, wheat straw art, and paper cuttings, gaining hands-on experience with traditional artistic practices.
Traditional winter delicacies, including frozen pears and persimmons, were available for tasting. Additionally, attendees enjoyed making Yuanxiao – glutinous rice flour dumplings with sweetened stuffing, a staple of the Lantern Festival.
The 9th Asian Winter Games are scheduled to run from February 7 to 14.
